Question

Edwards v. South Carolina focused on two issues: the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances and ///// the right to symbolic speech. the freedom of the press. the freedom of religion. the right to peacefully assemble.

Answer 1

Edwards v. South Carolina focused on two issues: the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances and the right to peacefully assemble.

Step-by-step explanation:

In March 1961, 187 black students peacefully assembled to protest and petition the legislative bodies of South Carolina and the citizens of South Carolina for a redress of grievances regarding African-Americans civil rights. When the police ordered them to disperse, the students refused and ended up being arrested, and were later convicted of breach of the peace by the state supreme court.

However, when the case reached the Supreme Court, the court rendered invalid the previous court decision arguing that arresting and convicting the petitioners was a violation to their rights to petition the government, to express and to peacefully assemble, rights guaranteed by the First Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment.

Answer 2

The correct option is ““the right to peacefully assemble”. Edwards vs. South Carolina was a famous case in the Supreme Court of the United States due to government officials’ attitude towards African Americans students that were peacefully marching in front of Zion Baptist Church in South Carolina in 1961. Government officials told the crowd to disperse or otherwise face arrest and as the students did not disperse, they were convicted of breach of the peace. The Supreme Court considered that arresting and convicting students was against their rights to petition the government for a redress of grievances and the right to peacefully assemble.

Options “the freedom of the press” and “the freedom of religion” are not related to what petitioners in this legal case were claiming. As regards option “the right to symbolic speech”, the court decision mentioned “freedom of speech” but did not specifically mention “symbolic speech” that is why option about free assembly suits better in this answer.